Description
Book SynopsisImagine that you are deep behind enemy lines. Your plane was shot down or perhaps you have just escaped from a prisoner of war camp. The enemy is hunting you, seeking to throw you behind barbed wire for the duration of the war. What will you do? Do you have a plan, and the skills, to make it to friendly territory?
During World War II, the Germans and Japanese held over 306,000 British and 105,000 U.S. service members as prisoners. The number of successful evaders and escapers, both U.S. and British, exceeded 35,000. Many of these were aircrew, who received intense training because of the high risk that they would have to evade or escape. This book relates how they fared in enemy hands or managed to remain free.
This book provides a complete overview of U.S. and British escape and evasion during World War II. It tells the story of the escape and evasion organisations, the Resistance-operated lines, and the dangers faced by the escapers and the evaders in a logical and compelling narrative. Heroism, betrayal, sacrifice, and cowardice are all elements of this fascinating part of the rich tapestry of World War II.
Trade ReviewSimkin has produced a fine, workman-like examination of all aspects of enlivened by colorful evasion or rescue stories gleaned from veterans’ reminiscences. * Journal of America's Military Past *
This very readable account covers a lot of different subjects within it's 200 pages. … [T]his is an excellent book for someone starting out on the subject. * History Book Chat 30/11/2022 *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 - Introduction Chapter 2 – Allied Escape Organizations Chapter 3 – Essentials and Escape Devices Chapter 4 – POW Camp Organization Chapter 5 – German POW Camps Chapter 6 – Japanese POW Camps Chapter 7 – The Comet Line Chapter 8 – The Rome Escape Line Chapter 9 – The Shelburne Line Chapter 10 – The Indragiri River Line Chapter 11 – China Escape Lines Chapter 12 – Colditz to England – Small Group Assisted Chapter 13 – Corregidor to the U.S.A. – Single Unassisted Chapter 14 – Singapore to Australia – Mass Escapes/Evasions Assisted Chapter 15 – Corregidor to Australia – Mass Escapes/Evasions Unassisted Chapter 16 – Liberation! Chapter 17 – Conclusion
